How Indigenous Tea Entrepreneurs Are Creating Jobs in Limpopo

As the world commemorates International Tea Day under the theme “Sustaining Tea, Supporting Communities,” Limpopo-based Setšong Tea Crafters is demonstrating how indigenous knowledge can be transformed into a thriving business that supports health, creates jobs and contributes to South Africa’s growing bio-economy.

Supported by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), an entity of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), through the Natural Indigenous Products Programme (NIPP) Fund, Setšong Tea Crafters has become a powerful example of how innovation rooted in indigenous knowledge systems can unlock economic opportunities in rural communities.

Founded by Retang Phaahla and her mother, Nondumiso Phaahla, the company works in partnership with elderly women from Sekhukhune in Limpopo to preserve generations of indigenous plant knowledge and transform it into commercially viable wellness products.

The business currently produces a range of eight indigenous teas and health infusions derived from African flora indigenous to the region. These teas are known for their wellness benefits, including detoxification, improved digestion, respiratory support, hormonal balance and immune support, responding to growing consumer demand for natural health alternatives.

“Tea is more than a product for us, it is heritage, healing and economic empowerment. Every tea blend we produce carries the knowledge of our elders, while also creating jobs and opportunities for women and young people in rural communities. Through TIA’s support, we have been able to grow Setšong Tea Crafters from a community idea into a business that contributes to both wellness and local economic development,” says Setšong Tea Crafters co-founder, Retang Phaahla.

Beyond wellness, the business is creating tangible economic impact in rural Limpopo. Setšong Tea Crafters has already created 25 permanent jobs and 15 temporary jobs, while also supporting several local cooperatives that supply processed herbal ingredients used in production. The company’s growth is helping stimulate economic activity across its local value chain from harvesting and processing indigenous plants to packaging and distribution.

The success of the business has also opened doors to larger commercial opportunities. In 2022, Setšong Tea Crafters won the Food Lover’s Market Group social enterprise competition, resulting in the brand joining the retailer’s supplier network through its Seeds of Change Supplier Development Partnership. This has enabled the company to expand the reach of its products into formal retail spaces, strengthening market access for locally produced indigenous products.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company responded to growing health concerns by introducing Indigenous Artemisia Tea to support respiratory wellness, further showcasing how indigenous innovation can respond to societal needs.

“Setšong Tea Crafters was built on the wisdom and knowledge shared by elders in our communities. Through the support we received from TIA, we have been able to commercialise indigenous knowledge in a way that creates employment, empowers rural women and introduces more consumers to the benefits of indigenous African wellness products,” says co-founder Retang Phaahla.

TIA’s investment in Setsong Tea Crafters forms part of broader efforts to strengthen South Africa’s bio-economy especially thought Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Through such initiatives, TIA supports local innovators working at the intersection of culture, science, and entrepreneurship, thus supporting innovations that use South Africa’s rich bio-based resources to promote public health, economic empowerment, and global competitiveness. Through the commercialisation of IK-based innovations, TIA enables the creation of sustainable industries that preserve heritage, support communities and contribute to inclusive economic growth.

As South Africa celebrates International Tea Day, Setšong Tea Crafters stands as a reminder that tea can do more than nourish the body, it can sustain communities, preserve culture and create opportunities for future generations.